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Thread: Question about Class 3 Medical...

  1. #1

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    Question about Class 3 Medical...

    Imagine if you will, someone is taking a medication that is on the prohibited list for a class 3.

    This medication's primary use is for depression (it is prescribed for other unrelated issues as well). However, this medication is also used to treat neurological pain (neuropathy, nerve disease, etc.)

    The person is taking the medication for neuropathy pain - NOT depression or any other psychological ailment, and no history of same. Can be verified by their neurologist, well documented.

    If the medication is NOT prescribed for psychiatric issues could that be a mitigating factor to get a waiver? I've searched high and low on the internet and I can't find a similar situation...

  2. #2
    FlyingRon's Avatar
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    You're going to have to tell us just what the medication is to be sure. The FAA is very paranoid about any psychoactive drug even if it's being used to target a non-psychiatric condition.

    If the drug is one of the SSRIs that are covered by the special issuance (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, or Lexapro and their generic equivalents), you might get it approved. However, getting a SI is not an automatic thing. It takes a special evaluation from a HIMS AME (again even if not being used for depression). Note you can't even begin the process until you've been on the drug for six motnhs and you're grounded in the interim.

    Your best bet would be to find a non-psychoactive drug that works and discontinue the current drug well before applying for the medical.

    You really need a consultation with a good (probably HIMS) AME. Bruce Chien in Peoria, IL is one. There are others.

  3. #3
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
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    You should also be aware, some of these medications are not allowed by the FAA based on a history of certain side effects (sudden loss of consciousness, suicidal thoughts, etc)

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